In the last two years, many expected that the budget would be framed keeping three perspectives in mind: economic aspect concerning people’s lives and livelihoods; ethical aspect regarding legalising black money at a substantially reduced rate of tax, without any question and penalty; and the need for thinking out of the box of a conventional annual budget.

Powdered milk prices have increased by Tk 50 to Tk 80 per kilogramme (kg) as rising transportation charges and the growing value of US dollars pushed up costs in the international market.

Exporters of all sectors will likely get corporate tax rates equal to that of garment exporters from the next fiscal year, said officials of the finance ministry, which plans to encourage the diversification of Bangladesh’s export basket by affording this benefit.

In spite of the injection of $130 million into the market by Bangladesh Bank, volatility persisted in the foreign exchange market yesterday.

Remittance flows to Bangladesh declined 13.15 per cent year-on-year in May as higher rates of US dollars in the informal markets are prompting many migrant workers to shun formal channels, creating additional pressure on the country’s already heated foreign exchange market.

Bhutan wants Bangladesh to make 2017’s transit route deal functional soon so that the landlocked country can use Mongla and Banglabandha ports to carry goods from and to Bangladesh through India.

Fitch Solutions Group Ltd, an affiliate of Fitch Ratings, has cut Bangladesh’s growth forecast to 6.5 per cent for the next fiscal year owing to the multiple challenges facing the economy for the Russia-Ukraine war and higher commodity prices.

Bank chairmen along with the heads of executive, audit and risk management committees who hold directorships of associated subsidiaries or foundations will be able to continue to serve in the latter role till June next year, said Bangladesh Bank yesterday. 

Stocks continued to rise yesterday for the fourth consecutive trading day. 

IFIC Bank has received regulatory approval to raise Tk 500 crore through the issuance of unsecured, non-convertible bonds. 

The government has formulated a “Charcoal Policy, 2022” to establish an eco-friendly, sustainable and export-oriented charcoal industry of international standard. 

The Bangladesh Jewellers Samity (Bajus) has urged the buyers to check the hallmark on gold jewelleries to be confirm about their quality before purchasing those.

The government will broaden its social safety net programmes in the upcoming national budget to continue support to the country’s marginalised population, Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said yesterday.

They also proposed reducing the corporate income tax by 10 percentage points to 20 per cent for businesses owned by women.

Bhutan wants Bangladesh to make 2017’s transit route deal functional soon so that the landlocked country can use Mongla and Banglabandha ports to carry goods from and to Bangladesh through India.

Stocks continued to rise today for the fifth consecutive day.

The stock market in Bangladesh continued its gaining streak for five consecutive days today.

Stocks and bonds struggled in Asia on Wednesday while the US dollar rose as investors worried about inflation and the hit that containing it with rate rises will bring to global growth.

Litchi growers and traders in northern districts such as Dinajpur are expecting good profits this season following two years of pandemic-induced losses as they are getting better prices for their produce with the market having gained momentum over the past two weeks.

In the wake of a foreign currency crisis in the country three recent steps of the government that drew wide appreciation are the travel restrictions for government officials (Finance Division, May 12), lifting of source declaration requirement for over Tk 5 lakh remittance (Bangladesh Bank, May 23) and imposition of additional duty on 68 various importable items (National Board of Revenue, May 24). While we fashionably go against the government on every possible issue on social media, these three rather attracted profuse praise with the first one, cessation of foreign tours, causing hysteria.